Self-capping shutter mechanism



May 13, 1941. a s. HINELINE SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 FilQd lay 2, 1939 IN VEN TOR.

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SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed May 2, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 3/5 BY I zlsATTOBNEYS y ,194 ESHINELINE 2,242,124

- v SELF-CPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM I Fi l ed m 2, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATT0RNEYS y 3, 1941. E. s. HINELINE 2,242,124

Q SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed May 2, 1939 16 Shee ts-Sheet 7.

1 INVENTOK 9 173022 flfiinezz'ne 1941- E. s. HINELINE 2,242,124

SELF- CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANI SM Filed May 2, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEY S May 13; 1941; 'E. s. HINE LINE SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed Ma 2, 19:59

16 Sheets-Sheet 9 \l ml llllllllll Lm ZL ZQJL K422214442 Q @AITORNEYS y 1941- E. s. HINELINE 2,242,124

SELF- CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed lay 2, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 10' %z's ATTORNEYS INVENTOR. mowfifla'nezine /7/ BY y 13, 1941. E. s. HINELINE 2,242,124

SELF- CAPFING SHUTTER MECHANI SM 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed May 2, 1939 my 03. dSohSEne me JZI'SATTORNEYS y 1941- E. s. HINELINE 2,242,124

SELF- CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANI SM Filed May 2, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENIOR ezz'lze /7/ 0 BY %r;s ATTORNEYS May 13, 1941. E. s. HINELINE 2,242,124

- SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed May 2, 1939 16 Sheets-Sheet l3 ma/s/ /96 J May 13, 1941. E. s. HlNELlNE SELF CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed May 2, 1959 16 Sheets-Sheet 15 mv .FZson SHz'ne BY 4 firm %i$ATroRNEYsy 1941. a s. HINELINE 2,242,124

SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Filed llay 2, .1939 16 Sheets-Sheet 16 ENTOR. 15 W Zina ATTORNEYS Patented May 13, 1941 SELF-CAPPING SHUTTER MECHANISM Edson s. Hineline, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Folmer Grailex Oorporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 2, 1939, Serial No. 271,335

54Claims.

- mounted thereon;

- Fig. 2 is a detail of the curtain tension rollers,

} one of them being in section for clearness of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the camera showing the shutter plate, shutter setting dial, winding knob, curtain rollers and curtains, the first curtain having been released and having run 1 all theway down;

Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary view showing the curtains wound all the way up;

Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 3, but with both curtains all, the way down, the first curtain being shown broken away so as to show the selfcapping feature;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but with the curtains rewound, -a portion of the first curtain being broken away to show the self-capping feature during rewinding;

Fig. 7 is a view of the shutter operating mechanism with the top portion of the shutter cover cut away, the shutter being fully wound and the mechanism set for instantaneous exposure;

Fig. 8 is a detail in section of the twocurtain rollers Just before the first curtain is released;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section through the shutter operating mechanism, show the relative positions of the several parts; 1

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the shutter settingdial mechanism, with the cover plate partly cut away.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section through the shutter winding dial with the shutteroperating mechanism removed;

12 is a detail in plan of the first curtain gear assembly with the first curtain-release cam;

Fig. 13 is a side view of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail in plan of the second curtain gear and release cams;

Fig. 15 is a side View of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a detail in section through the shutter setting dial, showing the means used for obtaining narrow curtain slots:

Fig. 1'! is a fragmentary elevation of the shutter cover. showing the shutter setting knob, shutter rewind knob, and slow shutter speed control,

ter in operation at the time the second curtain hasbeen released.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 17 but showing the position of the shutter winding knob after the curtain has run all the way down:

Fig. 20 is a detail of the shutter cover and shuttersetting dial, showing the position in operation of the second curtain lock;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 20, with portions of the shutter cover broken away to show the second curtain lock in released position;

Fig. 22 is a detail of the second curtain lock pawl;

Fig. 23 is an edge view of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a detail of the second curtain release dog or latch Fig. 25 is an edge view of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a detail of the first curtain release dog or lever;

Fig. 27 is an edge view of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a detail of the slow shutter speed and time release lever;

Fig. 29 is an edge view of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a vertical sectional view of th shutter plate showing the mechanism as positioned during the time of .rewinding the shutter;

Fig. .31 is a detail in vertical section of the curtain rollers and curtains showing the position of the first curtain with respect to the second curtain during rewinding;

Fig. 32 is a detail in side elevation of the shutter-rewind gear together with the slow shutter speed-reset cam;

Fig. 33 is a view in side elevation of the shutter plate, showing the shutter setting dial, shutter winding knob, and slow shutter speed adjusting arm, the shutter release bar being shown B in dotted lines, and a broken away portion of the shutter cover. showing the connection between the shutter release lever and the shutter release bar;

Fig. 34. is a vertical sectional viewof part of Fig. 33 with part of the cover broken away to show the position of certain levers;

Fig. 35 is a vertical sectionahview of the shutter mechanism with the top of the cover cut away to show the mechanism at the time a slow shutter speed exposureis being made;

Fig. 36 is a detail in vertical sectionsimilar to Fig. 8, but wherein the first curtain has been released and has .run all the way down;

\ ter is all the way rewound; that is, the shutter Fig. 3'1 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 35, but wherein the second curtain has been released by the slow speed mechanism;

Fig. 38 is a detail in vertical section but similar to Fig. 8, with both curtains shown as run all the way down;

Fig. 39 is a detail of a shutter releaser bar;

Fig. 40 is a detail partly in vertical section of the slow shutter speed time'. and bulb selecting mechanism; a 1

Fig. 41 is a vertical section through Fig. 40 showing the positions of the various parts;

Fig. 42 is a section of Fig. 40 on the line "-42 thereof;

Fig. 43 is a vertical sectional view of the shutter mechanism with the shutter cover plate removed to show the position of parts during the first part of a bulb exposure;

Fig. 44 is a detail in vertical section, similar to a part of Fig. 43, but showing the position of the parts during the second part of a bulb exp I a b ah Fig. 45 is a vertical sectional view of the shut ter mechanism with the top of the shutter cover cut away and certain of the parts removed to show more clearly mechanism that would normally be hidden by such parts, the mechanism being in the position of a time exposure, and the first curtain having been released; and

Fig. 46 is a view similar to Fig. 45, with a part of the shutter cover cut away and some of the parts removed, the position of the mechanism being that at the time of the releasing of the exposure lever, and the first cycle. of the time exposure showing the parts in position tobe released upon the next operation of the exposure lever, thereby dropping the second curtain.

This invention relates to a new type of photographic camera shutter particularly adaptedto but not limited to cameras of the Graphic and Graflex type wherein a self-capping shutter is provided having shutter speeds from .001 second to one second or longer, and also having bulb exposures and time exposures. The shutter has, in accordance with the invention, also been provided with means whereby it can be set for any predetermined shutter speed, and by a simple manipulation one of the curtains can be dropped for focusing or can be locked in this position when the front shutter'is being used as on the Speed Graphic type camera. Thereupon by relasing the locking means and'actuating the shutter release lever to close the second curtain, the shutter can then be restored to set position and be ready for use. The shutter speed that had been previously selected will follow upon shutter operation or, if the operator changes his mind, it is possible for him to reset to any other shutter speed. The shutter is provided with a number of interlocks making the operation of the shutter absolutely foolproof, as, for instance, if the shutter were set for time exposure, and upon the pressure of the shutter release lever, the first curtain would be allowed to drop. The shutter cannot again be rewound until the second curtain is also dropped. Therefore, the operator knows at all times the condition of the shutter mechanism with respect to its exposure cycle. Exposure cannot be made until the shutcould not be partly wound and then the exposure lever pressed to release the curtain which would cause the loss of an exposure. This is automatically taken care of in this mechanism which-will be more fully disclosed hereinafter.

The shutter is provided with automatic means for winding the slow shutter speed mechanism simultaneously with the rewinding of the shutter. Moreover the shutter is of simple construction, and is such that all of the related parts can be made very rugged which assures a long life of shutter operating mechanism. The shutter herein disclosed can readily be applied to cameras of the roll film type wherein the film would be advanced at the same time the shutter is rewound.

I will now, without limiting my invention thereto; describe a preferred embodiment of a camera structure incorporating my new selfcapping focal plane shutter. the Speed Graphic type of camera for the purpose of this disclosure, but I do not limit the application of this shutter to cameras of such type. As will be readily understood from the following description, this type of shutter is particularly suited for many other types of cameras, as, for instance, the reflex type wherein a mirror intercepts the light rays from the lens and projects them on a ground glass. It can equally well-be used on cameras of the roll film ype.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6, Fig. 1 repre-' sents in right side elevation a photographic camera having a camera body 20,- camera bellows 2|, camera bed 22, front standard 23, between-the-lens shutter 24, lens 25, sliding track 25, sliding track' guide 21, camera bed support 28, focusing knob 29, bed hinge 30, view finder 3!, camera back 32, groundglass screen frame 33, shutter setting dial 34, shutter locking slide 35, shutter winding knob 35, shutter release lever 31, slow shutter speed control 38, shutter cover 38 held to the camera box with screws 40, 40, and curtain roller bearing plate 4| more fullydisclosed in Fig. 2. The said parts may be of any suitable or usual construction, as myinvention is not limited thereto, though cooperating therewith.

Fig. 2 shows the curtain tensioning rollers, namely, the first curtainroller 43 and the second '44, curtain roller shaft bearing 45', curtain roller flange 46, curtain roller bearing 41 and curtain roller spring 48. The curtain roller flange 45 is screwed into curtain roller 42 as clearly shown in Fig. 2 and is provided with a slot 49 into which an extended end of spring 48 fits. When flange 4B is screwed into curtain roller 42,-sprin'g 48 is thereby locked to curtain roller 42. The opposite end of spring 48 is anchored to shaft 44 through a hole 50 in said shaft, which is also provided with a slot 58a for adjusting spring 48 of curtain rollers 42 and 43. Said rollers 42 and 43 are provided with curtains more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The camera is also provided with first-curtain take-up roller 52 and second-curtain take-up roller 53, shown in Fig. 8' and elsewhere. The curtain used in this shutter are preferably of a familiar structure wherein each curtain is provided with ribbons. The curtain take-up roller in one instance is attached to the tension roll and the ribbons are attached to the take-up roll. In this instance, the body part of the first curtain 54 is attached to first-curtain tension roller 43 and the ribbons 55, 55 are attached to the first curtain take-up roller 52. The second curtain 55 is attached to take-up roller53, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Curtain 55 is also provided with ribbons 51, more clearly shown in Fig. 3, which 'are I have selected attached to curtain tension roller 82. It will be seen from this description and illustration that the two curtains are independent of each other, each being provided with itsown tension roller and its own take-up roll. The operation of these curtains will be more fully disclosed presently.

Curtains 88 and 88, best shown in Figs. 8, 8, 8 and 8, are respectively provided at one end with struts 88, 88, clearly shown in section in Fig. 8 These struts are provided to stiffen the curtains at their leading edges, and they also provide means for attaching curtain ribbons, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. In Fig '1 is shown the shutter mechanism as it would appear with the shutter cover removed or the outer portions cut away.

The operation of this mechanism will be set.forth in detail presently.

Referring next to Fig. 9, which is a section through shutter mechanism showing the curtain take-up rolls 82 and 88 provided with flanges 88-88, it will be evident that first curtain roller 82 is provided with a stub shaft 8| and a pinion 82 with an extended spindle end 88. The second curtain 88 is provided with a stub pinion 88 and an extended spindle end 88. The pinion 82 meshes with the first curtain gear 88 and pinion 88 meshes with second curtain gear 81. The spindle ends 88 and 88 run in bushings I88, I88 in plate I88, which is fastened to shutter plate 88 with screw I85 and screw I88 in spacer I81, I81 which is riveted to shutter plate 88 at I88, as

shown in dotted lines. The opposite end of each of the curtain rollers 82 and 88 are provided with flanged bushings 18, 18, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which screw into curtain rollers 82'and 88, provided with holes for shafts 8|, 5|. Said shafts 8|, 8| are supported in plate 88 on the left side of the'camera as thesame is viewed in Fig. 3. It will readily be seen that any motion of curtain roller 82 or 88 will cause curtain 88 or ribbons 88 to be wound up or let down. The operation of these curtains for an instantaneous exposure is as follows:

It will be assumed that both curtains are wound up on curtain rollers 82' and 58 as shown in Fig. 4, and that shutter setting dial 88 is in position as shown in Fig. 17, with index 1i in alignment with shutter speed 1000 'on shutter speed dial 12. The mechanism of the shutter plate will now be positioned as in Fig. 7 and the curtains will be positioned as shown in Fig. 8.

Again referring to Fig. 9, the gear 81 carries an upper ca'm plate 18 and a lower cam plate 18.

These cams are clearly shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Cam 18 has a notch 18 and cam 18-, shown in dotted lines, has a notch 18. Cams 18 and 18 are attached to gear 81 by rivets 11, 11. Cam 18 also is provided with a pin "shown in Fig. 14,, and in dotted lines in Fig. 15. (Jam 18 is provided with a cut-out portion 18, shown in dotted lines in v Fig. 14. The gear 81 is'also provided with a hub 88, clearly shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

Referring to Figs. 9, 12 and 13, it will be observed that gear 88 is provided with a hub 8i and a cam plate 82 with notched out portion 88,

elongated slot 88, and a series of index holes 88, 88. The inner portion of cam plate 82 is provided with a number of teeth 88, best shown in Figs. 12 and 16, the purpose of which will be more fully described presently. Gear 88 is also provided with a pin 81. The position and relative locationoi' gears 88 and 81 is clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11 wherein the shutter plate 88 with stud 88 is provided with a collar 88 and an extended portion 8i which is riveted into said plate 88 in cam plate 82, as shown in Fig. 16, which shows that cam plate 82 is riveted to gear 88 with rivets '88, 88.

Sleeve 88 has fitted thereto the shutter setting knob or dial 88, as shown in Fig. 11. Attached to shutter setting knob 88 is a shoulder stud 81 having a rivet end88 and a dowel end 88. Sleeve 88 and knob 88 constitute an assembly that is free to slide upon hub 8| of gear 88 (best shown in Fig. 13) and is prevented from being removed from hub 8 I by shutter dial plate 12 attached to sleeve 8| with screws I88, I88. This assembly is prevented from being removed from shaft 88 by shoulder screw IN. The shutter set-- ting dial assembly 88 with sleeve 88 is caused to move toward gear 88 under the influence of conical spring I82 engaging the teeth 88 of sleeve 88 with the teeth 88 of cam plate 82. The position of engagement is governed by shoulder stud 81 and dowel 88 engaging one of the several index holes 88 in the said plate 82. It will be noted that dowel 88 can be engaged with any one of the index holes 88 in plate 82, and gear teeth 88 and 85 are so spaced as to be in alignment at this time. To obtain a finer adjustment of dowel 88 with respect to plate 82, which is necessary on the narrower curtain openings (that is, for exposure of 1000, 750, etc), inasmuch as the space i of the ordinary index holes 88 is too great to allow the proper curtain adjustment, I have elected to employ the plan of using teeth 88 in plate 82 and teeth 85 in sleeve 88, which permit me to get a very slight dispersion for the settings of the narrow apertures. The first three apertures (that is, the narrowest of the three) function when dowel 88 enters slot 88 of plate 82. To get accurate settings on the rest of the speeds the dowel holes have been placed as shown in proper relation around plate 82 to engage other than the narrow openings. also engage, but the position in which the teeth engage is governed by holes 88 in plate 82.

As previously stated, all the shutter mechanism is now in position as shown in Fig. 7 ready to make an instantaneous exposure providing the dial has been set to one of the instantaneous exposures, as, for instance, in Fig. 1'1, where it is set for .001 second. Curtain roller 82 and curtain roller 88 tend to turn in a contraclockwise direction under tension of curtains 88, 88 and tension rollers 82, 88, but they are prevented from turning because of pinions 82, 88 meshing with gears 81 and 88 which are held in position by their respective cam plates and dogs which will now be described.

Referring now to Fig. 7, gear 88, which is the However, the teeth ing first curtain roller 52 to revolve in a contraclockwise direction. Gear 61 also would revolve if it were not restrained by dog H engaging notch 15 in cam plate 13 of gear 61, as clearly shown in Fig. 17. The dog I09 is clearly shown in detail in Fig. 26. As there shown, it has a pro- Mounted on the shutter plate I jecting arm III. is a sliding bar III! with a pin H3 (best shown in detail in Fig. 39 and also shown in Fig. 7). If bar I I2 were pulled downward, said pin I I3 would engage said arm III, withdrawing dog, I09 from notch 83, thus allowing gear 88 to revolve in the direction of the arrow adjacent thereto in Fig. '7.

. 0n the upper end of said bar H2 is a second pin be disengaged from notch face 83, thus holding gear 61 from rotating but allowing gear 86 to rotate' carrying with it the shutter-setting dialknob 34 and the shoulder stud 9-1 previously referred to. Said shoulder stud 91 then engages a lip H6 constituting part of dog H0, causing said dog I I0 to be withdrawn from notch 15 and thus allowing the second curtain to travel in a downward direction. This action is very clearly shown in Figs. 17 and 18.

Said dog I09 with its extending arm III rides upon pin H1 and dog H0 with its extending arm H6 rides upon pin H8. Pin H1 and pin H8 are riveted into shutter plate 88. Connecting pins I I1 and H8, and thereby supporting them, in a bar H9 fastened to pin H1 with screw I20 and to pin H8 with screw I2I. This structure is most clearly shown in Fig. 34. Sliding bar H2, as above stated, is most clearly shown in detail in Fig. 39, where it is shown ashaving slots I22 and I23. Said bar H2 is attached to the shutter plate 88 through shoulder studs I24, I24 with shoulder screws I25, I25. This structure is most clearly shown in Fig. 34, the upper stud and screw only being shown. The second stud I24 is at=the lower part of the shutter'plate 88 not shown in this view. Said bar II2 has attached thereto a screw stud I28 which engages an arm I21 (best shown in Fig. 33) and which in turn is keyed to I28. Bar H2 is caused to be returned to its normal position by coiled spring I29 through a connection with arm I21 and a pin I30 on the shutter cover, all as most clearly shown in Fig. 33. The foregoing description fully explains how the instantaneous exposures are obtained in this embodiment of my invention, The proper operating sequences of the bulb, slow shutter speed and time settings together with the description of the manner of restoring the shutter to the set position will next be set forth.

It is most desirable in a shutter of this class to be able to drop the first curtain, so'as to pro- -vide a means for focusing, also a means to lock the first curtain down to prevent the second curtain from being closed and to prevent rewinding when the front shutter is used. This is a condition that maintains frequently in a camera used in press photography. There are times when only the front shutter is wanted for use ward, the dog the shutter release lever 31 and the whole is attached to the shutter mechanism-cover. by screw v the shutter to close.

and at that time, of course, the back shutter must be in a fully open condition. I

In shutter mechanism herein disclosed and which is merely the selected embodiment of the invention, I have provided novel means of accomplishing this. It is further desirable to have a ready means of opening the back shutter for focusing and then permitting the restoring of the shutter mechanism to a pre-set condition, that is, for. instance, where it had been determined that an exposure would be made at ,6 0 second. To reduce the time interval to an absolute minimum between the time'of focusing and time of making the exposure itself, it is desirable to pre-set the shutter speed and to be able to open the shutter for focusing and to. close the I shutter and then to wind the shutter, and thus be ready for an exposure at a pre-selected shutter speed. This is also provided for in and by my invention herein disclosed in its preferred form. The operation of this part of the mechanism is as follows:

The cam plate 14 (best shown in Figs. 20 and 21) is provided with a notch 19 which is in the position shown in Fig. 20 when'the shutter is fully wound. Pivoted on pin H9 (most clearly shown in Fig. 34) is a dog lever I30, clearly shown in'Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23. Attached. to the cover plate 39 is the sliding member 35, previously referred to as the shutter locking slide, and which is secured to an L shaped sliding member I3I on the inside of the shutter cover (shown in dotted lines Figs. 20 and 21) by means direction of movement of'sliding member 35. If,-

for instance, I have selected an exposure of ,6 second and have moved sliding member 35 up- I35 of lever I30 would engage notch 19 of cam plate 14, thereby preventing any movement of that cam plate, which in turn would prevent any movement of the second curtain, as has previously been explained. Then upon pressure of release lever 31, the'flrst curtain would be allowedto open, and the second curtain would be prevented from moving, thereby causing an open condition of the back shutter. The shutter cannotv be further operated at this time because an additional pressure on member 31 would have no effect. Neither could the shutter be rewound because of means hereinafter disclosed. It is necessary, therefore, to push said member 35- in a downwarddirection, unlocking the cam plate 14. The curtain would therefore remain open until lever 31 is again pushed, which would allow shutter, the mechanism would be restored and in the proper exposure setting previously selected.

I will now explain how the shutter is rewound or restored to the set position.

Referring to Fig. 30, therein is shown about mid-length thereof, an arm I36 having a projecting lip I31, and an extending arm I38, said arm I36 being pivoted on shoulder screw I39. Attached to said arm I38 is an idler gear I40 secured to said arm by shoulder rivet I4I. Meshing with gear I40 is a second idler gear I42 which itself meshes with winding gear I43. Said arm I36 has an extending portion I44 having a hole I48 into which coiled spring 815 hooked. The opposite end of spring I48 is hooked into plate I04. It'will be noted that spring I48 tends to Then upon rewinding the 

